But these spirits are nothing when compared to the ghosts of the Gold Rush miners.

Scuba divers have heard the cries of miners forever trapped in the underwater mines. While snorkeling, a woman claims that a cold hand grabbed her. When she turned, facing her was a rotting corpse-like creature that yelled “help me” through a lipless mouth.

9) Horse Riding in Hells Gate – Corona

If you ride up in the hills towards the old signal tower, you may come across a burn site. According to local records, a house burned down in the 1980s, killing a nanny and two children. Many have seen the nanny lurk around. A woman even clicked a picture of her near the ruins.

The children are just as active. After going through a ‘cold spot’, a couple were surprised to see a toy on the road. The same toy kept on appearing in front of them as they rode by. Scared, they rode faster. But the toy kept appearing ahead. Finally, they rode back and left quickly.

If you want to remain relaxed, avoid going to the fourth floor of the hotel. The whole floor is haunted by the ghost of a young girl. You may hear her giggle or be the victim of her pranks if you go near Room 422.

7) Wine Tasting at Bartholomew Park Winery – Sonoma

One of the many exciting things to do in California is wine tasting. But if you want to tremble with fear as well as excitement, head to Bartholomew Park Winery.

The winery has a dark history. According to Sonoma Magazine, it was built on the same land of a women’s prison, a hospital, and a morgue. Therefore, there’s no end to the number of tortured souls there.

A renowned local ghost hunter spent weeks in the winery to track the ghosts. He discovered many cold spots, especially in the basement. At one point, the temperature became too cold for him that he ran upstairs for warmth. He also heard the choir of the previously incarcerated women.

However, Madeline is the entity that earned the winery’s position on this list of haunted day trips in California. A patient of the asylum between 1920 and 1930, her remains were discovered in the basement in the 1970s. Since then, she’s locked many visitors in or thrown large items at them.

6) Picnic at China Camp Village – San Rafael

If you want some quality time with both the living and the dead, plan a picnic at China Camp. Part of the China Camp State Park, it’s a pretty yet creepy place to explore. Even during sunny afternoons, many experienced an unsettling feeling near the abandoned radio towers.

5) Cycling on Bass Lake Road – Bass Lake

If you seek day trips in California with scenic routes, you’ll love Bass Lake. There are many trails which you can hike or cycle on. But you’d better be able to peddle fast enough to escape the ghostly entities haunting Bass Lake Road.

While there are harmless ones such as the old man smiling on a bench, there are others out there to get you. The girl in a white gown is one. Seen near the reservoir at the bend, she screams whenever she sees the living.

A woman fainted after hearing the screams only to wake up to the girl hovering over her. With dark sockets for eyes and grey flesh, the ghost was a terrifying sight. While the woman may have lived to tell her tale in her blog, you can’t guarantee your luck.

One ghost in particular attacks women. A teenage girl suddenly felt a force squeeze her chest. The intense pressure prevented her from breathing. She tried to scream to attract the attention of bystanders, but no sound came out. The pressure stopped when she managed to say a prayer.

3) Fun at California’s Great America – Santa Clara

California’s Great America is one of the best vacation spots for the whole family. Keep your loved ones close though because this amusement park is constantly brimming with the paranormal.

Many of the park’s workers have reported hearing sounds and cries, especially from the Kidsville and Drop Zone. Some even had heavy things thrown at them or felt ice cold fingers on their necks. That’s why they instruct everyone to stay together at all times.

One ghost you should especially beware of is the “smoky dark figure” in the water park area. A woman working there in 2009 saw him bending repeatedly near the wave pool. When she gasped, she felt an ominous aura engulf her and fainted.

2) Fishing at Sand Cove Beach – Sacramento

Part of Sand Cove Park, Sand Cove Beach is the perfect place to plan day trips in California. You can swim, fish, or birdwatch to your heart’s content. But what you may not know is that the park is terrifyingly haunted.

Visitors have heard a female voice saying “te papa” near the Sacramento River. A couple fishing after 3am felt hands touch their backs. After the wife was pushed down, the husband heard soft giggles and soft drum music.

Between such stories and the drownings taking place there, Sand Cove is DEFINITELY haunted.

1) Sailing from Dana Point Harbor – Dana Point

Whether you enjoy sailing open party sails or charters, Dana Point Harbor is a getaway that has it all. Just avoid looking at the houses near the harbor. Many experienced chills as they felt unseen eyes observe them from the haunted houses.

The water isn’t safe either. Attracted by a shining light near the boat, a child leaned over the charter’s ledge. His mother saw a dark claw-like hand grab the child and drag him into the water. Though she jumped to save him instantly, the child was nowhere to be seen. The boy was never found.

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